Paul X. Kelley

Paul Xavier Kelley (November 11, 1928 – December 29, 2019) was a United States Marine Corps four-star general who served as the 28th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps from July 1, 1983, to June 30, 1987.

Kelley served 37 years active duty in the Marine Corps. Commissioned through Villanova College's

Kelley was born on November 11, 1928, in Boston, Massachusetts, to Albert and Josephine (née Sullivan) Kelley.^[1] He was a graduate of The English High School in Boston in 1946. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in economics from Villanova University in 1950.^[2]

Marine career

Kelley was commissioned a

From September 1960 to May 1961, Kelley was selected as the United States Marine Corps infantry officer to serve with the British Royal Marines, becoming one of the few foreigners to earn the Royal Marines Commandos' coveted green beret. During this tour, he attended the Commando Course in England, served as Assistant Operations Officer with 45 Commando in Aden, and as Commander "C" Troop, 42 Commando in Singapore, Malaya and Borneo. On March 1, 1961, he was promoted to major. From June 1964 until August 1965, Kelley became Commanding Officer, Marine Barracks, Newport, Rhode Island.

In 1965, Kelley deployed to

In 1974, Kelley was promoted to the rank of brigadier general. As a general officer, he served as Commanding General of the 4th Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force; Director, Marine Corps Development Center; Director, Marine Corps Education Center; and Deputy Chief of Staff for Requirements and Programs, Headquarters, United States Marine Corps. In February 1980, Kelley was promoted to lieutenant general and named as the first Commander of the Rapid Deployment Joint Task Force.^[3] On July 1, 1981, Kelley was promoted to the rank of general, the youngest Marine to have achieved that rank.^[4] He then assumed duties as the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps and Chief of Staff, Headquarters Marine Corps. On July 1, 1983, Kelley was named Commandant of the Marine Corps, succeeding General Robert H. Barrow.

Silver Star citation

Citation:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Paul Xavier Kelley (MCSN: 0-50603), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 21 March 1966, during Operation TEXAS, Lieutenant Colonel Kelley led his Battalion in a helicopter assault on a Viet Cong fortified area in Quang Ngai Province. Debarking from his helicopter into accurate, intense enemy fire, he realized that the landing zone must be enlarged in order to bring in the balance of the Battalion safely. With great professional competence and composure, he maneuvered his Companies into position to attack the enemy, employing all available supporting arms. As a result of his decisive action, all aircraft and personnel landed without sustaining casualties. In the attack phase, with complete disregard for his own safety, Lieutenant Colonel Kelley placed himself in a strategic, exposed position from which he could best control the assault companies and supporting arms. His personal example and bold leadership were a source of inspiration to all who were engaged in the operation. At the conclusion of the vicious three and a half hour battle, Lieutenant Colonel Kelley's Battalion had accounted for 167 Viet Cong killed, many small arms and crew served weapons captured, and tons of supplies destroyed. By his daring leadership, relentless fighting spirit and unswerving dedication to duty throughout, Lieutenant Colonel Kelley upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Promotion record

• June 1950 — commissioned as Second Lieutenant
• April 1952 — First Lieutenant^[5]
• December 16, 1953 — Captain
• March 1, 1961 — Major
• January 20, 1966 — Lieutenant Colonel
• April 1, 1970 — Colonel
• August 6, 1974 — Brigadier General
• June 29, 1976 — Major General
• February 4, 1980 — Lieutenant General
• July 1, 1981 — General

Post-Marine Corps career

In 1989, Kelley joined the Washington, D.C.

Kelley died of complications of Alzheimer's disease at a care facility in McLean, Virginia on December 29, 2019, at the age of 91.^[1][11] He was interred in Arlington National Cemetery on February 13, 2020, following a memorial service at the Fort Myer Memorial Chapel.^[4]

Honors, awards and badges

Military

Kelley's decorations, awards, and badges include:

Marine Corps Parachutist badge
1st row		Defense Distinguished Service Medal	Navy Distinguished Service Medal		Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
2nd row	Army Distinguished Service Medal	Air Force Distinguished Service Medal	Silver Star Medal	Combat "V" and 2 gold stars
3rd row	Bronze Star Medal w/ Combat "V" and 1 gold star	Joint Service Commendation Medal	Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal	Army Commendation Medal
4th row	Combat Action Ribbon	Navy Presidential Unit Citation w/ 1 bronze star	Navy Unit Commendation	Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation
5th row	Navy Occupation Service Medal	National Defense Service Medal w/ 1 bronze star	Vietnam Service Medal w/ 1 silver star	Order of National Security Merit , Tong-il Medal
6th row	Vietnam Army Distinguished Service Order, 2nd Class	Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/ 2 palms and 2 gold stars	Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal 1st class	Vietnam Staff Service Medal 1st class
7th row	Vietnam Training Service Medal 1st class	Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation w/ palm and gold frame	Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation w/ palm and gold frame	Vietnam Campaign Medal
Pathfinder Badge

• Note: The gold United States Navy Parachute Rigger badge was worn unofficially by Marine Corps personnel in place of United States Army parachutist badge from 1942 to 1963 before it officially became the Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist insignia on July 12, 1963, per BuPers Notice 1020. Members of the Marine Corps who attended jump school before 1963 were issued the silver Army parachutist badge but may be depicted wearing the gold Navy Parachute Rigger badge as it was common during this time period to do so.

Civilian

Kelley was awarded honorary doctoral degrees from Villanova University, Norwich University, Webster University, Jacksonville University, and the United States Sports Academy. He was a recipient of the National Geographic Society's Major General O.A. Anderson Award, the Veterans of Foreign Wars' National Armed Forces Award, the American Academy of Achievement's Golden Plate Award presented by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Awards Council member General John W. Vessey, Jr., USA,^[12] the Navy League's Admiral John M. Will Award, the Ireland Fund's Irishman of the Year for Southern California Award, the Reserve Officers Association's Minuteman Hall of Fame Award, and the Marine Corps Scholarship Fund's Semper Fidelis Award.

Eureka College, alma mater of President Ronald Reagan, named Kelley as its third "Honorary Reagan Fellow" to celebrate his lifetime of service and leadership on November 9, 2010, at the Reagan Building in Washington, D.C. The date was chosen to correspond with the 21st anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

See also

• List of United States Marine Corps four-star generals

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Cushman Jr., John H. (December 31, 2019). "Gen. Paul X. Kelley, Top Marine Tested by a Bombing, Dies at 91". The New York Times.
2. ^ "Biographical Sketch of Gen. Paul X. Kelley, USMC". Nominations of General Paul X. Kelley, Richard L. Armitage, and Chapman B. Cox. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office. 1983. pp. 17–18. Retrieved 2021-10-25.
3. ISBN 978-1-55750-868-3
   . Retrieved March 2, 2009. Paul X. Kelley.
4. ^ ^{a b} "Death of General Paul X. Kelley, 28th Commandant of the Marine Corps". U.S. Marine Corps ALMARS. United States Marine Corps. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
5. ^ "Resumé of Service Career of Paul X. Kelley, General, U.S. Marine Corps". Nominations of General Paul X. Kelley, Richard L. Armitage, and Chapman B. Cox. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office. 1983. pp. 16–17. Retrieved 2021-10-25.
6. ^ ^{a b c} "General Paul X. Kelley". Staff Bios. Cassidy and Associates. Archived from the original on 2007-03-02. Retrieved 2006-11-26.
7. ^ "Profile: Paul X. Kelley". Forbes.com. 2008. Archived from the original on February 26, 2012. Retrieved March 2, 2009.
8. ^ Ivanovich, David (December 13, 2006). "Leaders urge tougher fuel standards, more offshore access". Houston Chronicle.
9. ^ Kelley, P. X.; Robert F. Turner (July 26, 2007). "War Crimes and the White House; The Dishonor in a Tortured New 'Interpretation' of the Geneva Conventions". The Washington Post. p. A21. Retrieved 2007-08-08.
10. ^ "Wine Country Marines - Board of Directors". www.winecountrymarines.org. Archived from the original on 2015-02-09. Retrieved 2013-09-18.
11. ^ South, Todd (December 30, 2019). "28th Marine commandant, who led Corps during Beirut bombing tragedy, dies at age 91". Marine Corps Times.
12. American Academy of Achievement
    .

External links

• "General Paul X. Kelley, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on April 14, 2012. Retrieved March 2, 2009.
• "Official Biography: General Paul X. Kelley". Biographies: General Officers & Senior Executives. Manpower & Reserve Affairs, United States Marine Corps. April 22, 1987. Archived from the original on April 30, 2011. Retrieved 2007-05-25.
• "Nomination of General Paul X. Kelley To Be Commandant of the Marine Corps". Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. March 24, 1983. Retrieved 2007-05-25.
• Kelley, P.X.; Robert F. Turner (July 26, 2007). "War Crimes and the White House; The Dishonor in a Tortured New 'Interpretation' of the Geneva Conventions". The Washington Post. p. A21. Retrieved 2007-08-08.
• "Paul X. Kelley". Notable Names Database. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
• Paul X. Kelley's obituary
• Appearances on C-SPAN

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Paul X. Kelley.

Military offices
Preceded by Robert H. Barrow	Commandant of the Marine Corps 1983–1987	Succeeded by Alfred M. Gray, Jr.